More on Eastern Connecticut

In their letters, the members state that: “The urgency of this problem is clear. Failure to enact a workable plan to provide relief will have a lasting impact not just on homeowners and communities, but on all those connected to the housing market, including insurers. We hope that your company will be a constructive and collaborative part of making this plan work in order to provide needed relief to your customers, their neighbors, and our communities."

“The roundtable at Grasso Tech this morning was a great opportunity to once again get all of the key stakeholders for the manufacturing pipeline into one place,” said the delegation members. “The discussion was focused on how we build upon the success of the first graduating class in order to make sure that we are training enough skilled workers to meet the growing need in high-tech manufacturing. With work at Electric Boat quickly ramping up, we need to be doing everything we can to prepare Connecticut workers to fill new positions at the shipyard and across the state-wide network of suppliers.”

“This grant funding is good news for our local fire departments that can use these federal funds to purchase life-saving equipment for their firefighters,” said Courtney. “Our first-responder put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our homes and our communities, and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to provide them with the appropriate equipment to keep them safe.”

“Targeted federal grants like these Rural Development funds from the USDA go a long way toward helping small communities like Sprague make improvements for local residents,” said Courtney. “These two grants will help the town of Sprague save a significant amount of money on their annual energy bills, as well as provide safety and shelter to local residents during severe winter weather. Earlier this year, I held a seminar series for town leaders from across eastern Connecticut to help them learn more about how the Rural Development program works, and how to obtain this type of funding. Too often, rural communities do not have access to the credit required to launch long-term projects like upgrades to bridges, schools, or municipal complexes, and the loans and grants provided through Rural Development ensure our small towns do not get left behind. I want to thank First Selectwoman Osten for everything she does to support the people of Sprague, and her efforts in helping to obtain these grants today.”

“In January, Electric Boat announced 1500 hires this year to accommodate that demand signal from the Navy. And it’s been all hands on deck, which the WIOA Act and the Workforce Board is today prdocugin results which would not have been the case without passage of that law and without the omnibus which has given the workforce innovation funds that are now combining community colleges, tech schools, and the employer who are now working together to fill this huge workforce need. Again, if you go online today there are probably 300 or 400 job openings [at Electric Boat] right now as we sit here in this room, that’s just for the shipyard, as you go further out there are 470+ suppliers in Connecticut and thousands across the country."

“This was a great opportunity to speak directly with local selectmen, fire chiefs, nonprofits, and other community leaders from across the district about the benefits of working with the USDA-Rural Development program,” said Courtney. “All too often, rural communities do not have access to the credit necessary to begin long-term projects like bridges, schools, or municipal complexes, and these loans and grants provided through the USDA ensure eastern Connecticut towns do not get left behind. During the reauthorization of the Farm Bill in 2014, I worked hard to maintain rural development eligibility in Connecticut by ensuring the definition of rural included small communities in Eastern Connecticut. I want to thank all of our local leaders who came out to learn more about the grant program, and I look forward to working with them to obtain additional grant funding for our district this year.”

“The long range strike bomber is a critical program for our nation, and I can think of no better supplier for its engines than the hard working men and women of Pratty & Whitney”, said Ranking Member Courtney. “Once again, Connecticut has been called on to play a key role in a high priority national security effort – and I know that Pratt, its workers, and the state-wide network of suppliers that supports them are equal to the task. This is a good day for our state, and I proud to be working on the subcommittee to ensure the success of the B-21 program.”

“On balance, the 2017 budget appears to make significant investments in order to enhance the capabilities of the naval and projection forces platforms overseen by our panel,” said Courtney. “From expanding the reach and punch of our surface and subsurface forces, to strengthening our ability to project power through long range strike and refueling capabilities, I am pleased with many of the decisions reflected in this budget.”

“The Coast Guard occupies a special place in eastern Connecticut and we are excited to be the home of the planned National Coast Guard Museum in New London,” said Courtney. “The measure passed by the House, which is now on its way to the President, today makes clear that Congress stands firmly behind this effort. I am proud to have worked closely with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to get this targeted change in federal law to ensure that the Coast Guard can provide its full support for establishing the museum. This change will now make it possible for the Coast Guard to assist with the design and creation of the exhibits that will be displayed for visitors, which will be a tremendous boost for the national fundraising efforts already underway. There is much more work ahead, but passage of this bill is a tremendous step forward.”

Earlier this week, one of Connecticut's oldest employers sent a jolt through the headlines. Electric Boat President Jeff Geiger announced plans to hire 1,500 engineers, metal trades workers and support personnel at its Connecticut facilities in 2016. The announcement included a positive forecast for the years ahead, with projected growth from 14,000 employees up to 18,000 by 2030.